How Do I know Which Type of Pavement is Best for My Project?

Every home renovation project is unique. We often don’t think of pavement projects as “home renovations,” but they’re actually one of the most vital and important renovations we can undertake. Driveways and walkways are such valuable features because they serve such a strong practical as well as aesthetic purpose.

The full potential of pavement is often lost due to bad pavement mixtures, or improper installation techniques. This is an important consideration. Materials like asphalt and concrete are incredibly versatile and strong; but mistakes during installation, or preparation of the mixture, can easily result in premature aging and damage.

Obviously, the durability of any asphalt installation will be affected by the conditions affecting the pavement. These include traffic, pressure, chemical exposure, and natural weather. Asphalt is made to be used, and to stand up to heavy use and be dependable through the seasons.

Asphalt

Asphalt is the king of American pavements for many good reasons. First off, it’s extremely durable, and can take the punishment of harsh weather and changing seasons for years. When correctly installed, asphalt can easily last 20 years or more without any major flaws or damages. Obviously, this depends on conditions and usage as well. A heavily used asphalt road in a state with extreme temperature swings will usually start to develop potholes and cracks inside of ten years. That’s why so many road constructions crews are out there patching up asphalt. But pound for pound, it’s the most economical and practical choice for paving thousands of miles of roadway.

Concrete

Although concrete is not as common as asphalt in terms of roads and driveways, this super strong material is widely used in construction. The fact that concrete and not asphalt is used in so many different construction and engineering projects is proof of the fact that concrete is incredibly tough and resilient. If you pave your driveway or walkway with concrete, you can typically expect it to last 20-30 years without any major repairs needed. That’s a long time!

Tar and chip

Some consider tar and chip to be a more “crude” form of pavement; but others gravitate toward the look and feel of this pavement type, and consider it an stylish asset to their property. It also helps that tar and chip pavement is cheap – even cheaper than asphalt, as a matter fact – at least in many cases. But it’s important to deal with a contractor who knows tar and chip pavement inside and out. It’s also good to know exactly what you’re getting: Tar and chip pavement typically lasts around 7-10 years when done properly. Although its lifespan is shorter, it doesn’t require sealcoating like asphalt, and the visual affect can be highly complimentary to natural landscapes.

The best pavement options in your area

Don’t settle for any type of pavement unless you’ve considered all the options. A good pavement professional will be adept at helping you find the best pavement solutions for your project, and will deliver results that give you the full benefits of each type of pavement listed here. Good luck with all of your pavement projects!